Release for aerial flares



Allg. 9, 1932. El 'a JONES 1,871,375

RELEASE FOR AERIAL FLARES Filed Feb. 19, 1932 Fig. ,2. Fig. l.

\nvenTon Ernes B Jones byA/wa dimmi. Ays.

Patented Aug. l9, 1932 UNITED sTATEs PATENT' OFFICE ERNEST IB. JONES, OF SOUTH WEY'MOUTH, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOB T0 NATIONAL FIBEWORKS, INC., OE WEST HANOVER, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF MASSA- CHUSETTS RELEASE FOR AERIAL FLARES Application ld February 19, 1932. SeriarNo. 593,963.

This invention relates to improvements in means for releasably supporting aerial flares upon aircraft. Inasmuch as flares are used to supply illumination in cases of emergency as for instance when the aircraft is forced to make a-landing in unfamiliar territory, or upon an airport not provided with illumination, the means for releasing the flare shouldbe instantly ready for use at all times. During the course of the Hight of an air? plane or aircraft of any type theyy are very commonly subject to low temperatures and sudden and unusual changes it atmospheric conditions. Such sudden changes frequently cause condensation upon all parts of the alrcraft. The moisture thus accumulated often becomes frozen and in many cases a heavyl accumulation of ice results. If the releasing mechanism for the flare is exposed to such conditions it may become frozen and thereby rendered inoperative.

The object of the present invention is to provide a releasin device for aerial flares which is'proof against becoming inoperative by reason of atmospheric conditions.

The object of the invention is further to provide a, releasing device which is normally positively locked against accidental release.

A further object of the invention is to provide a releasing device which will symmetrically support the weight of the flare from a A plurality of points and release therilare lat all such points simultaneously.`

A further object of the invention is to provide a releasable supporting device which functions by its own locking movement positively to clamp a plurality of supporting dogs in locked' position and after releasing the flare acts positively to maintainthe dogs in retracted position. v

Other objects and features of the invention will more fully appear from the following description in connection with the accompanying drawing and will be particularly pointed out in the claims.

The invention comprises essentially a tube. closed at its topmost end and secured to the` aircraft preferably in a vertical position. .This tube serves to house the flare until the emergency arrives requiring its use. The

lower end of the tube desirably is substantially hermctically closed by means of a thin sheet of frangible material, thereby completely protecting the ilare and the inner surfaces of the tube from accumulation of ice. The character of the frangible material at the base of the tube is such that the flare when released will penetrate without being substantially impeded.

The flare itself is' similar in construction to that disclosed in U. S. Patent No. 1,7 55,389, granted to George J. J. Clark and Ernest B. Jones asco-inventors. The particular flare employed in the present invention desirably is provided with a peripheral shoulder near its upper end and is of such dimensions as to be freely slidable within the housing tube. The supporting parachute associated with the flare is packed in the usual manner within the upper end of the tube, While the flare itfself is supported in the lower portion thereo Thereleasable supporting mechanism for the flare comprises comprises a frame member of generally annular form surrounding and fixed to the outer periphery of the tube and has slidably mounted therein a plurality of flare supporting dogs, the inner ends of which are permitted to 'project through the wall of the tube and envage the shoulder upon the flare, and by Vsuc 1 engagement support the flare within its housing tube. ciated with the dogs is a ring rotatable about the tube and having a plurality of cam slots therein corresponding in number to the numbep` of supporting dogs. The supporting dogs are preferably uniformly spaced about the periphery of the tube and move in a plane substantially perpendicular to the `axis thereof. Each dog is provided witha pin projecting'upwardl into its cam slot in the ring. As the ring 1s rotated through a portionof a revolution the dogs are retracted by the action of the pins in the cam slots. Such retraction of the dogs releases the flare which falls by gravity penetrating the frangible closure at the base of the tube.

In the drawing:

Fig. l is a side elevation of a portion of an airplane partially broken away to show the Asso Land its housing tube installedtherein.

Fig. 2 is a cross sectional viewof' the flarereceiving tube showing the flare supported therein.

Fig. 3 is a cross section on line 3-3 Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a cross section on line 4-4 Fig.

Fig. 5 is a cross section on lin'e fFig. 3.

In order to more clearly and accurately present the principles of the invention a' particular embodiment thereof will now be described. Inasmuch as the Hare is' particularly for use in emergencies it 1s deslrably situated within the plane in a position to be a supporting bar 4 secured to the body of the plane, thereby permittin removal of lthe tube from the aircraft. I ny other desirable method may be employed to secure" the tube lwithin the aircraft or upon the exterior thereof.

The supporting parachute 5 1s packed within the upper portion of the tube 1 and connected by suitable cords or otherl connecting members 6 tothe iiare whlch 1s supported within the lower portlon of the tube with its lower extremity slightly above the extreme lower limit of the tube. The general structure of the Hare 7 follows the. usual design having la casing 8 w1th1n wh1c h the magnesium composition is packed and 1s desirably provided at its lower end With a firing mechanism 9 which may be of a construction similar vto that disclosed by the U. Sf Patent No. 1,755,389. The 4upper end of the flare 7 is desirably provided 'with a metallic head 10 which is provided with a peripheral shoulder 11.

i An annular frame 12 is secured by means of rivets or any suitable means to the peripheral face of the tube 1. The frame 12 has a vertical depending portion. 13 and .a horizontally-extending portion 14. The hor-1- zontal portion 14 isV provided with a plurality of radial slots 16 Within which are received a plurality of flare supporting dogs 17, the inner ends of which may be'projected through apertures in the wall of the tube 1 to engage the shoulder 11 of the head 1() upon the flare. When the dogs are projected in` v .iframe 12. The ring b5, dogs 17 within their wardly as shown in Figs. 2 and` 3 the flare is I y'mmetricallyfsupported thereby withinV the housing tube'l.

A rotatable ring 15 is situated above and in contact with the horizontal porti-on 14 of the 15 serves-to retain the slotsland is itself relposition to receive the upper end of a plurallty of ins l22 iiXed at their lower ends in the dogs 1 The cam slots 21 are so disposed as to move the dogs 17 from their locking position shown in Figs. 2 and 3 into their retracted position through the medium of the upwardly-extending pins 22 which are acted upon by the cam slots. The ring 15 is-provided with a suitable outwardly projecting actuating arm 23'to which is secured' one end of a lanyard 24. Desirably a locking means is provided to prevent accidental movement of the ring 15 and thereby unintentionally 4releasing the flare.4 Any desirable means for this purpose may be employed. A simple and effective means for` accomplishing this result is shown herein comprising a cotter pin 25 which projects through suitable apertures in the ring 15 and ythefframe l2. Such apertures are so positioned that they are in' alignment when the ring 15 is in its locked position. The upper end of the locking pin 25 is provided with an eye 26 within which the lanyard 24 is secured at a point removed from its point of attachment with the arm 23.

The moving parts of the mechanism are protected against the accumulation of ice caused by atmospheric conditions by means of a suitable cover plate 27, which desirably extends over the upper surface of the ring 15, and downwardly over the outer edgev ofthe ring and the outer edge of the horizontal portion 14 of the frame 12, thereby excluding moisture from the cam slots 21 andalso the grooves 16 in which the dogs 17 move.

It will be observed,therefore, that the cover plate' 27 renders the mechanism lmpervious to atmospheric conditions and insures that the i Hare may be instantly released in case of emergency at all times. The mechanism of the present invention is highly eflicient and dependable in operation. As already pointed out, the moving parts of the mechanism andtheir paths of movement 7 are entirely protected against an accumulation of ice, andfurthermore the protecting means renders it impossible for foreign matter to obstruct the properfunction of the de-Y vice.

`While it is vitally important to be able to release the Hare immediately and at all events, it is also important that the releasable supporting mechanism continue to rigidly support the flare within its housing tube until an emergency arises. In the presentinvention not only is there provided a locking pin acting to prevent movement of the ring 15 as above described, but the character of the locking mechanism itself constitutes an eicient means to prevent premature or accidental release of the flare. When the locking dogs 17 are in their locked position, they are automatically Withheld against any retracting movement until the ring 15 is positively manually actuated. If, therefore, the locking pin 25 becomes ineffective or accidentally removed, the supporting dogs will still be held 'in place by the wedging action of the cam slots 20 acting upon the pins 22. If the locking pin is not in place, the dogs will positively7 remain in locked position and continue firm y to resist the forces of side play and the tendency towards vertical movement Imposed upon the flare by landing and maneuvering of the aircraft while in the air.

It. is also important to insure that the loclrlng dogs 17 will remain in their released .posltlon after the flare has been released from its housin tube. If the ring 15 should b e moved acci entally slightly in the opposite direction after being moved to release the flare, the dogs 17 would project slightly into the tube and endan er the parachute as 1t 1s drawn out of the tu by the downward movement of the Hare. To prevent such an .occurrence means are provided desirably to lock the ring 15 in its releasing position.

Any suitable means may be employed to accomplish this end. A desirable construction 1s lllustrated wherein a spring wire 28 is used as a locking means. The wire is looped near its central portion to provide suliclent P resiliency. One end of the sp passs through the upper extremity of t e reenforcmg rib 29 of the frame 12 and is bent upwardly at 30 and anchored to the wall of the boss 31 within which the dogs 17 are slidably mounted. The other end of the spring 28 also is bent upwardly at 32 and is received in an aperture 33 in the horizontal portion 14 of the frame 12.

When the ring 15 is in position to support the flare the upturned end 32 of the spring bears against the lower face of the ring 15. When, however, the ring is moved into its releasing position the end 32 of the spring enters the end of the adjacent concentric slot 20 of the ring 15 and engages the wall or shoulder at the end of the slot as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3 andin full lines in Fig. 5. The ring 15 thereby is locked in its releasing position until the end of the spring is manually withdrawn from the slot 20. Since the ring acts to retractthe dogs, the dogs are positively locked against any inward motion after the flare has been discharged.

The locking Wire serves also as aconvenient means for withholding the dogs in retracted position while packing the parachute within tube, an annular frame fixed upon the peripheral surface of said tube, a plurality of locking dogs slidabl mounted within sald frame and movable t rough the wall of said tube to engage and support said flare within said tube, and means to withdraw said dogs from engagement with said liare thereby releasing the flare which falls' by gravity out of the lower end of said tube.

2. An aerial are releasing 'apparatus for air craft comprisin a flare receiving tube secured u on the air craft having a closed upper en a flare within the tube, a peripheral shoulder on said flare, a plurality of locking dogs slidabl mounted in said tube which move in a p ane at right angles to the axis of said tube, said dogs normally projecting into said tube and ngagin said shoulder and means to withdraw sai dogs rom said shoulder thereby releasing said are.

3. An aerial flare releasing apparatus for air craft comprising a flare receiving tube fixed upon the air craft having a closed upper end and a lower end substantially llermetically sealed by a thin sheet of fran ible material, a flare slidable within said tu e, a lurality of locking dogs slidably mounted 1n said tube to move in plane at right angles to the axis of said tube normally acting to support said Bare within said tube, means acting to withdraw said dogs simultaneously from en agement with said flare thereby releasing ie flare which punctures the fran g1- ble sheet at the lower end of the tube and A thereby is permitted to emerge from the tube said tube, an annular frame fixed upon the peripheral face of said tube, a plurality of dogs slidably mounted in said frame movable in a plane at right angles to the axis of said tube the inner ends of said dogs normally projecting through the wall of the tube and engaging said flare to releasably support the' same within the tube and cam means operlao able to withdraw the dogs from engagement with the iiare thereby to release the same. 5. `.A n aerial flare releasing apparatus for air craft comprising a flare receiving tube fixed substantially vertically within the air CTI .craft, a flare slidable within said tube, an'.

annular frame fixed to the peripheral face of said tube, a plurality of dogs slidably mounted in said frame to move in a plane at right angles to the axis of said tube, the inner ends stantially hermetically seal the bottom end of said tube.

6. An aerial flare releasing apparatus for air craft comprising a flare receiving tube fixed upon the air craft, a flare slidable Within the tube, a peripheral shoulder on said flare, an annular supporting frame fixed to ttperipheral face of said tube, a plurality ofl radially movable dogs slidably mounted in said frame, the inner ends thereof normally projecting through the walls of said tube to engage the shoulder on said flare thereby supporting the same within the tube, a ring rotatable upon the periphery of said tube adjacent to said annular frame, cam surfaces upon said ring operable, upon rotation thereof to retract the dogs thereby releasing the flare.

7. An aerial flare releasing apparatus for air craft comprisin a flare supporting tube fixed to the air cra t, a flare slidable withinv the tube, a peripheral shoulder on said flare, an annular frame fixed upon the peripheral face of said tube, a plurality of dogs slidably mounted in said frame to move radially through the walls of said tube and normally engaging said shoulder upon said flare thereby supporting the flare within the tube, a ring rotatable upon the periphery of said tube adjacent to said frame cam slots in said ring, cam followers secured to said dogs and projecting into said slots operable upon rotation of said ring to simultaneously retract said dogs out of engagement withsaid shoulder thereby to release the flare. I

8. An aerial flare releasing apparat-us for air craft having the elements deiined in Claim 7 together with an arm projecting outwardly from said ring, a lockingpin projecting through said ring and said frame acting normally to prevent rotation of said ring and a lanyard for releasing said flare connected at its ,extreme end to the outer end of said arm and connected at an intermediate point to said locking pin whereby when said lanyard is manually operated the locking pin is removed and the said ring is rotated to release the Hare.

9. An aerial flare releasing apparatus for air craft comprlsing a Hare-receiving tube secured to the air craft, a Hare slidably mounted within said tube, an annular frame fixed upon the outer face of said tube, a plurality of dogs slidably mounted in said frame, the inner ends thereof normally -projecting through the wall of said tube engaging and releasably supporting said flare within said tube, means operable to simultaneouslyv retract said dogs from engagement with the flare and means acting to lock said dogs in retracted position.

10. An aerial Hare releasing apparatus for air craft comprising a flare-receiving tube secured to the aircraft, a flare slidable within said tube, an annular frame fixed upon the outer face of said tube, a plurality of dogs slidably mounted in said frame, the inner ends thereof normally projecting through the wall of the tube engaging and releasably supporting said flare within the tube, releasing means rotatably mounted on said tube, acting when rotated to retract said dogs, a

locking shoulder on said releasing means, a spring wire secured to said frame at one end and yieldingly engaging said releasing means at its other end automatically acting to lock said releasing means in its releasing position by engagement with said shoulder.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.

ERNEST B. JONES. 

